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In a move that will no doubt cause some controversy here in Australia, Holden (HSV) has released two new special Bathurst edition models into its overseas Vauxhall line-up.

The new Bathurst and Bathurst S Edition models bare an uncanny resemblance to the 40th Anniversary GTS, although also sport a few choice performance upgrades to go with the stripes.

With the addition of a Walkinshaw Performance 122 Supercharger, the 6.2-litre LS3 engine of the Bathurst S develops an enormous 417kW and 715Nm - well clear of our local W427 flagship.

The comprehensively engineered package also includes a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map, while the standard manual gearbox is upgraded with a high-torque capacity clutch.

To reign in the extra horsepower on the supercharged model and give the normally-aspirated model some street cred, both Bathurst Edition models also boast a new Walkinshaw Performance brake and suspension package.

This includes a new set of six-piston callipers up front with four-piston down the rear, along with stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers.

To visually differentiate the Bathurst Edition models from the normal VXR8, they have received a near identical stripe package as the 40th Anniversary GTS.

Although in addition to this, the new models boast front fog light covers, ‘Bathurst’ badging, a console-mounted badge showing the car’s build number and ‘Walkinshaw Performance’ tread plates.

Finally, as a true track day prospect the Bathurst models also feature an optional Bi-Modal Exhaust system which offers two noise settings: ‘Street’, with an upper limit of 92dbA, or ‘Optimum’, which releases the LS3 V8’s full 102dbA.

The twin two-and-a-half inch stainless steel system also unlocks a further 7kW from the big V8 and adds a touch of class with unique chrome tail-pipe finishers.

In the UK, the standard Bathurst Edition is priced at around AUD$84,000 while the Bathurst S Edition comes in at AUD$99,500.

With such a large price gap in the Australian HSV line-up between the GTS and W427, it’s difficult to understand why Australians weren’t offered a similar package with the 40th Anniversary GTS.